Vacuum-suction plate



C. N. REESE.

VACUUM SUCTION PLATE. APPLICATION FILED Aue.2,191.

1,337,622. P tented Apr. 20, 192@.

Wavy/44?? UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES N. REESE, 0F WILMETTE, ILLINOIS.

VACUUM-SUCTION PLATE.

Application filed. August 2, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

The invention relates to a plate, denture,

or other device adapted to be supported within the oral cavity and has for its object the provision of simple and effective means whereby the plate, denture, or other device is securely held in place without conscious effort on the part of the wearer.

A further object of my invention is the provision of a valve mounted in a plate, denture, or other device intended to be disposed within the human mouth whereby air may be exhausted from the space between the plate, denture. or other device and the adj acent tissue.

Further objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent as it is better understood by reference to the following specification when read in connection with the accompanying drawing illustrating the preferred embodiments thereof, in which Figure l is a plan view of a denture embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is a section therethrough;

Fig. 3 is a section of a denture intended for the lower jaw and embodying my invention;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail in section through the valve;

Fig. 5 is a detail in section illustrating a sli htly different form of valve casing;

Fig. 6 is a detail in section illustrating another form of valve casing,"

Fig. 7 is a detail in section illustrating stil another form of valve casing; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the structure illustrated in Fig. 7:

It has long been customary to depend upon the partial vacuum produced when plates and the like are pressed into contact with the membranes of the mouth to hold the plates in operative position. For example, an artificial denture is frequently held in place by the vacuum produced between the plate and the roof of the mouth. It is not always possible, however, to produce plates fitting with sufiicient nicety to insure maintenance in the desired position with- 91 di sented a the w r r and m Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 20, 1920.

Serial no. 247,902. I

the difliculty experienced by those who wear artificial dentures arises from the failure of the vacuum between the plate and the roof of the mouth whereby the plate is permitted to fall.

My invention overcomes this disadvantage of the common forms of artificial plates, dentures, and devices of similar character by providing a valve through which air between the plate and the adjacent membrane may be withdrawn so that a partial vacuum of much higher degree than is customary may be produced. Thus the plate, denture, or other device will be securely held by the atmospheric pressure in close contact with the tissue.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawing, 5 indicates a plate which in the present instance is provided with a number of teeth 6 forming an artificial denture intended to be disposed in contiguous relation to the roof of the mouth. It is to be understood that the plate may be employed without the teeth, as for example, in case of a cleft palate where the plate serves as an artificial roof for the oral cavity. Obviously, the form of the plate may be varied widely without in any manner departing from my invention which relates more particularly to the provision, in connection with the plate, denture, or other device, of a valve permitting the passage of air in one direction but preventing the return thereof.

In carrying out my invention the plate 5 is preferably provided with a depression 7 in its upper surface intended to form initially a vacuum chamber from which the air is exhausted. An opening is provided in the plate 5 and in this opening is mounted a valve casing 8, (Fig. 4-), preferably constructed of non-corrodible metal and provided with a flanged edge 9 adapted to rip the edge of the opening in the plate 5. The underside of the valve casing 8 is cut away to perm t easy in ertion and w thdrawal of the valve 10 which is provided with a central opening 11. The thickness of the valve is sl ghtly ess than the dist nce between the op osite w l s of the valve casing. the upper wall of which is provided with an opening 12 adjac nt the peripherv of the valve.

As will be readily understood the valve 10 is normally in the position indicated in Fig. 4 when air is permitted to pass through the opening 12, between the valve and the upper wall of the casing and through the I the depression 7 between the plate and the membrane. Atmospheric pressure thus holds the plate in close contact with the roof of the month until it is forcibly removed therefrom. After a period of use the membrane will grow downwardly into the depression 7, but this will in no way affect the operation of my invention.

-My invention is not limited in its use to artificial dentures intended to be supported in the upper part of the oral cavity. For example, in Fig. 31 have illustrated a plate 13 carrying teeth 14 and adapted to cooperate with the lower j aw. A valve 15 similar to that above described is disposed in an opening in the inner flange of the plate 13 so that the plate is held in contact with the jaw by atmospheric pressure in the manner above described.

In Fig. 5 I have illustrated a slightly different form of valve casing comprising a casing in two sections, 17 and 18, threadedly connected at 19 and supporting a valve 20 between the opposite walls. An opening 21 is provided in the upper wall of the casing, and registering openings 22 and 23 are provided in the valve and lower wall of the easing respectively. The operation is identical with that previously described.

. In Fig. 6 another form of valve casing is illustrated in which the casing 24 is provided with an inwardlydirected flange 25 extending entirely about the periphery and maintaining the valve 26 in position. An

opening 27 is provided in the upper wall. of the casing and an opening 28 is provided .in the valve.

In Figs. 7 and 8 still another form of its upper wall and a transverse bar 31 which holds the valve 32 in place. The valve 32 is of slightly less diameter than the inner diameter so that the air drawn through the opening 30 passes about the edges of the valve.

The different forms of valve casings hereinbefore described permit ready access to the valve which must be removed from time to time for cleaning. In the forms illustrated the valve is removable with a minimum of effort and is as easily returned to the casing. 7

My invention is applicable to all forms of plates, dentures and other devices necessarily held within the oral cavity in contact with the wall thereof. Such a plate, denture, or device may be constructed of vulcanite, celluloid, gold, aluminum, or any other metal, substance, or material which may be safely used in the mouth. The valve and easing therefore may be similarly constructed of any suitable material adapted for the purpose.

Various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing any of its material advantages, the forms hereinbefore described being merely preferred embodiments thereof.

I claim: A dental plate having a suction chamber in one face thereof, there being an opening through the back of the chamber, a valve casing secured in and filling said opening and substantially flush with one side of the plate and with the back of the suction chamber, a valve member within the casing,

the casing having an outlet communicating with the suction chamber and controlled by the valve, and said valve having abearing throughout one face thereof against one wall of the casing in the closed position of the valve.

i CHARLES N. REESE.

Witnesses .7

WM. 0. BELT, E. H. MERCHANT. 

